Autumn fest in McHenry, food fest in NYC

Caption100 Day Trips: Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, Md.

Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun

Distance from Baltimore: 70 miles, about an hour-and-a-half drive Why it's worth the gas: More than 100,000 Union and Confederate soldiers met on Sept. 17, 1862, in a battle that produced 23,000 casualties. A century and a half later, you can imagine the roar of cannon and guns as you pass through peaceful meadows and over Burnside's Bridge. Thousands of acres showcase weapons, memorials, graves and structures that together tell the story of the bloodiest day of the Civil War. Films and displays at the Visitor's Center describe how factors in the fight -- such as dumb luck and squandered opportunities -- kept either side from a decisive victory, yet the result emboldened President Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Don't miss: The 150th anniversary of the battle will be marked Sept. 15-17 with tours, hikes, lectures, music and children's activities. The names of soldiers killed or gravely wounded will be read at a remembrance ceremony Sept. 17. Information: Antietam National Battlefield, 5831 Dunker Church Road, Sharpsburg, Md., 21782; 301-432-7648 or nps.gov/ancm.

Distance from Baltimore: 70 miles, about an hour-and-a-half drive Why it's worth the gas: More than 100,000 Union and Confederate soldiers met on Sept. 17, 1862, in a battle that produced 23,000 casualties. A century and a half later, you can imagine the roar of cannon and guns as you pass through peaceful meadows and over Burnside's Bridge. Thousands of acres showcase weapons, memorials, graves and structures that together tell the story of the bloodiest day of the Civil War. Films and displays at the Visitor's Center describe how factors in the fight -- such as dumb luck and squandered opportunities -- kept either side from a decisive victory, yet the result emboldened President Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Don't miss: The 150th anniversary of the battle will be marked Sept. 15-17 with tours, hikes, lectures, music and children's activities. The names of soldiers killed or gravely wounded will be read at a remembrance ceremony Sept. 17. Information: Antietam National Battlefield, 5831 Dunker Church Road, Sharpsburg, Md., 21782; 301-432-7648 or nps.gov/ancm. (Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun)

Distance from Baltimore: 150 miles, about four hours between car and ferry Why it's worth the gas (and fare): Smith Island is the place where you were told settlers' descendants still spoke Elizabethan English. That's not true, but residents of the remote Chesapeake villages of Ewell, Rhodes Point and Tylerton do have a Tidewater dialect. Seafood lovers will appreciate the fare (crabcakes, crab soup, softshell crab), outdoorsy folks will enjoy paddling, birding and fishing the so-called "guts" (creeks) in the marshes, and anyone with tastebuds will love the Smith Island Cake. The Smith Island Center offers tourist information, history, a gift shop and, perhaps most important, public restrooms. Don't miss: For $3, you can stroll into the picking area at the Smith Island Crabmeat Co-op, ask questions and get a sample. The co-op is open June through November and sells fresh crabmeat, crabcakes and more. Order in advance if you're smart. Information: Smith Island Center, 20846 Caleb Jones Road, Ewell, Md., 21824. 410.425.3351 or visitsmithisland.com

Distance from Baltimore: 150 miles, about four hours between car and ferry Why it's worth the gas (and fare): Smith Island is the place where you were told settlers' descendants still spoke Elizabethan English. That's not true, but residents of the remote Chesapeake villages of Ewell, Rhodes Point and Tylerton do have a Tidewater dialect. Seafood lovers will appreciate the fare (crabcakes, crab soup, softshell crab), outdoorsy folks will enjoy paddling, birding and fishing the so-called "guts" (creeks) in the marshes, and anyone with tastebuds will love the Smith Island Cake. The Smith Island Center offers tourist information, history, a gift shop and, perhaps most important, public restrooms. Don't miss: For $3, you can stroll into the picking area at the Smith Island Crabmeat Co-op, ask questions and get a sample. The co-op is open June through November and sells fresh crabmeat, crabcakes and more. Order in advance if you're smart. Information: Smith Island Center, 20846 Caleb Jones Road, Ewell, Md., 21824. 410.425.3351 or visitsmithisland.com (Algerina Perna, Baltimore Sun)

Celebrate America's wildlife heritage by visiting a local refuge during National Wildlife Refuge Week. On Sunday, Oct.14, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge will host "The Big Sit!," an annual event in which teams count and report on bird species observed from a 17-foot-diameter circle. Check out the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, Va., throughout the week to learn about fish species in the Back Bay, learn practices for pruning bushes and trees, and take tours of the refuge.

National Wildlife Refuge Week is Oct. 14-20. For more information about the Fish and Wildlife Service, visit fws.gov.

McHenry

Autumn Glory Festival

Bask in the glory of the fall season at this festival featuring scenic tours of the Youghiogheny River, Ginseng Run and Deep Creek Lake Scenic Overlook, among other spots. With food and live music, the Autumn Glory Kickoff Dinner will open the festival's activities, which will include concerts, area tours, antique and craft shows, fine arts exhibits and other activities.

The festival takes place Oct. 10-14. The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is offering a 3-2-1 lodging and activity promotion. The promotion offers three nights for the price of two and runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 16, excluding some holidays. Go to visitdeepcreek.com.

Lancaster, Pa.

Happy Hauntings at Dutch Wonderland

Ideal for the whole family, Happy Hauntings will allow guests to try more than 20 theme rides including the "Scareeeee-Go-Round," the "Bat Swing," and the "Witchie Whip." Additional activities include trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting and other activities. A live show of "Molly's Wacky Witches Brew," and storytelling with the Princess and Knight of Dutch Wonderland will fill out the schedule.

Happy Hauntings is open Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 13-14, Oct. 20-21, and Oct. 27-28, at Dutch Wonderland. Tickets are $21.99 per person for ages 3 and above. For more information, call 866-386-2839 or visit DutchWonderland.com/happyhauntings.

Cape May, N.J.

'Phantoms of the Physick Estate'

Part of Cape May's Halloween Happenings, the self-guided daytime tour of the "original haunted house" — the Physick Estate — will include spooky sounds, special effects and scary stuff. Other tours offered include the terror tour, the kid-friendly tour and evening tour.

The kid-friendly tour is $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 3-12). The evening tour is $15 for adults and $12 for children (ages 3-12). Visit capemaymac.org to learn more about the Halloween-themed event.

New York City

Food Network Wine & Food Festival

Food trucks, farmers, celebrity chefs, tastings and more are all at the center of this foodie festival in New York City. The festival, in its fifth year, is also a fundraiser to fight hunger, with 100 percent of net proceeds going to community organizations. Highlights include "On The Chopping Block: A Roast of Anthony Bourdain," hosted by Mario Batali, and "Meatball Madness," hosted by Giada De Laurentiis.

The festival is Oct.11-14. Tickets can be purchased at nycwineandfoodfestival.com or by calling 866-969-2933.